Dalton GA Motor Vehicle Accidents Law Blog

When Georgia residents opt to travel by public or chartered transportation, they may often believe that they are safer than driving themselves to popular destinations. Unfortunately, no one is immune to the dangers that impaired drivers pose, especially in light of recent bus accidents that were caused by drivers under the influence. The most recent wreck injured more than 12 golfing fans on their way to the Masters Tournament.

According to a passenger on the bus, the driver first caused concern when he allegedly veered off the road and then over-corrected as he regained his position in the travel lane. The 61-year-old driver purportedly blamed his actions on debris in the road. The passenger also stated that the bus continued to maintain an unbalanced course as it continued on to the tournament.

Every day, countless Georgia commuters and school students board their usual buses in order to get to their destinations. Though they are not a common occurrence, bus accidents do happen, and they can result in passengers suffering devastating injuries. Recently, a collision caused a beloved coach to be critically injured.

According to officials, a small bus used for the Augusta Preparatory Day School was transporting the school's golf team and the coach to a local game. As the bus driver traveled down Highway 49, he approached a small crest of a hill. Unfortunately, at that time, a tractor-trailer hauling a load of concrete building materials had come to a stop in the southbound travel lane. The bus driver was presumably unaware that the truck was parked and the smashed into the rear of the truck.

In December, a new Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration regulation became effective, requiring all tractor-trailers to be equipped with electronic logging devices (ELDs). An electronic logging device is installed in the cab of the truck and records the hours that a trucker is actively driving, along with other important information. These devices are expected to help enforce compliance with federal laws to reduce the risk of a serious or fatal truck accident. In Georgia and elsewhere, a tired trucker poses a serious danger to fellow motorists.

As the deadline for compliance with the regulation looms closer, truckers working in the agricultural field were given a second extension, during which time the FMCSA will work to clarify the rules that apply to certain agricultural drivers. Federal laws state that a driver is not to drive more than 11 hours out of a 14-hour shift. Once a driver hits that cutoff, the trucker is required to have 10 consecutive hours off duty. An exemption for certain farm-related truckers who operate within a 150-mile radius could apply.

Every day, there are reports of another serious car accident caused by a distracted driver. Georgia is now taking steps to help reduce this type of negligence behind the wheel. The rising rate of serious and fatal injuries is the catalyst behind the need for tougher regulations.

Recently, lawmakers in the Georgia House of Representatives passed the new measure, House Bill 673, which is also being referred to as The Hands-Free Georgia Act. Though the state already has laws that address the use of cellular devices while driving, the new bill states that police officers can now pull over drivers who are seen with a cell phone in their hands. There has been a mixed response by those who have been questioned about the new bill.